What is the difference between Support at Home Classification 3 and Classification 5?

Classification 3 provides $5,645.23 per quarter. Classification 5 provides $10,202.32 per quarter. The difference is $4,557.09 per quarter. After the 10% set aside for care management, that pays for about 36 to 37 more hours of personal care or cleaning a quarter, at the Department's national median weekday prices ($115 and $110 an hour, November to December 2025).

What are the three service categories under Support at Home?

Support at Home services fall into three contribution categories: (1) Clinical Supports — nursing and allied health such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy. No contribution. (2) Independence — personal care, social support, transport, respite, and assistive technology and home modifications. A contribution applies based on income and assets. (3) Everyday Living — domestic assistance, meals and home maintenance. A higher contribution applies. From 1 October 2026, personal care moves to Clinical Supports: no contribution if approved and funding is available, but it is still paid from your budget.

CLASSIFICATION GUIDE

Your assessment outcome letter has a number on it. Here's what that number means in dollars — and in care.

Q: What are the Support at Home classification budget amounts for 2026–27?

Support at Home classification quarterly budgets (from 1 October 2026): Classification 1: $2,757.89/quarter. Classification 2: $4,120.89/quarter. Classification 3: $5,645.23/quarter. Classification 4: $7,632.04/quarter. Classification 5: $10,202.32/quarter. Classification 6: $12,365.48/quarter. Classification 7: $14,944.20/quarter. Classification 8: $20,073.50/quarter. Indexed in July each year.

Q: How do I know if my Support at Home classification is correct?

For ongoing help at home, the IAT works out the classification from the answers recorded at the assessment, and the assessor must accept that outcome. On 6 October 2026 the Department published how the IAT's scores combine into a classification. If the classification doesn't match the person's needs, you can ask for a review in writing within 28 days of receiving the Notice of Decision.

The classification, from 1 to 8, comes from the assessment. It sets the quarterly budget for ongoing services under the Support at Home program.

This page explains what the number means in dollars and in hours of help — and what to do if it doesn't feel right.

For the full picture of how Home Care Packages became Support at Home — and what changed — see our home care package guide.

THE SHORT VERSION

Classifications 1–8 range from $2,758/quarter to $20,074/quarter (from 1 October 2026).

The money covers three types of services: Clinical Supports (no contribution), Independence (contribution applies), and Everyday Living (higher contribution).

If the classification doesn't match the person's needs, you can ask for a review in writing within 28 days of receiving the Notice of Decision.

What does your classification mean?

Select your classification number from your assessment outcome letter

All Support at Home classification budgets — 2026–27

From 1 October 2026. Indexed in July each year.

Classification	Per Quarter	Per Year	Hours a week, personal care or cleaning
Class. 1	$2,757.89	$11,031.56	About 1.5 hours/week
Class. 2	$4,120.89	$16,483.55	About 2.5 hours/week
Class. 3	$5,645.23	$22,580.93	About 3.5 hours/week
Class. 4	$7,632.04	$30,528.15	About 4.5–5 hours/week
Class. 5	$10,202.32	$40,809.27	About 6–6.5 hours/week
Class. 6	$12,365.48	$49,461.91	About 7.5–8 hours/week
Class. 7	$14,944.20	$59,776.80	About 9–9.5 hours/week
Class. 8	$20,073.50	$80,294.00	About 12–12.5 hours/week

Source: Support at Home program, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Hours: the budget after the 10% for care management, spread over 13 weeks, at the national median weekday prices for personal care ($115 an hour) and cleaning ($110), November to December 2025. Verify at My Aged Care.

What can your budget actually pay for?

All Support at Home services fall into three categories. Your co-contribution depends on which category the service falls into — not how much funding you have.

Clinical Supports

No contribution

Nursing visitsWound careMedication management and administrationCatheter and continence care (clinical)PhysiotherapyOccupational therapySpeech pathologyPodiatry

⚠️ From 1 October 2026, personal care also sits in this category for contribution purposes. It is still paid from your Support at Home budget.

Independence

Contribution applies

Personal care (until 30 September 2026)Social support and companionshipTransport to appointments and social activitiesRespiteAssistive technology and home modifications

⚠️ From 1 October 2026, approved personal care attracts no contribution if funding is available, but it is still paid from your budget.

Everyday Living

Higher contribution applies

Domestic assistance — cleaning, laundryMeal preparation and deliveryHome maintenance (minor, safety-related)Garden maintenance (safety access)

What should you do if your classification feels wrong?

For ongoing help at home, the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) works out the classification from the answers recorded at the assessment, and the assessor must accept that outcome. On 6 October 2026 the Department published how the IAT's scores combine into a classification. If the result doesn't match the person's needs, you can ask for a review in writing within 28 days of receiving the Notice of Decision.

Activate your funding now — don't wait for a review. If needs change later, you can ask for a reassessment. The two aren't connected.

How the assessment tool (IAT) works →

Common questions about Support at Home classifications

What are the Support at Home classification budget amounts?+

Do I pay tax on my Support at Home budget?+

No. Your Support at Home budget is a government subsidy paid directly to your provider on your behalf. It is not income and is not taxable.

What happens to unspent budget at the end of the quarter?+

Unspent funds roll over — up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget after the 10% for care management comes out, whichever is more. If you have legacy Home Care Package funds, those are kept separately with no rollover cap.

Can I use my budget for things that aren't on the approved services list?+

No. Your budget can only be used for services within the three Support at Home categories (Clinical, Independence, Everyday Living). Equipment funded through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme is separate from your quarterly budget.

Choosing or changing a provider

Before you sign, know exactly what you are agreeing to.

Our free guide covers what to compare between providers and what to check in a service agreement before you sign. For independent help, OPAN (the Older Persons Advocacy Network) gives free, confidential advice on 1800 700 600.

Read the free provider guide →

New to these terms? See the full glossary →

Last updated: 25 September 2026. Classification budgets from 1 October 2026. Verify current rates at myagedcare.gov.au.